30 Lunch Box and Wares to Make Your New Year Meal Prep Easier
It’s a brand new year, a brand new decade, and that gets us pumped about making some sweeping, positive changes! Three of the biggest new year resolutions are to eat healthier, lose weight, and save money
Photo: Unsplash/@ellaolsson
It’s a brand new year, a brand new decade, and that gets us pumped about making some sweeping, positive changes! Three of the biggest new year resolutions are to eat healthier, lose weight, and save money. And one thing that checks off all three of those to-do boxes is partaking in meal prep.
With meal prep, you plan out your meals and package them into sectioned containers for portion-controlled breakfasts, lunches, and/or dinners that you can really organize well, according to your nutritional needs. And the best part? Since you’re putting together several days’ worth of food at one time, you’ll also be saving yourself a bunch of precious time throughout the week.
We live for making things easier for our readers. So, we put together a handy, shoppable list of the best, most stylish meal prep bags, lunch boxes, organizers, utensils, and more. Here’s to a healthier, more abundant, and successful 2020!
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Corkcicle Adair Crossbody Lunch Box
Lunch bags don’t need to be an eyesore. In fact, they can be so glamorous and chic that you’ll swear it’s an everyday handbag. Just look at Corkcicle’s Adair Crossbody. Available in four fashionable hues, the vegan leather bag just adds to your commute style, instead of detracting from it.
Where to Buy: Corkcicle Adair Crossbody, available at corkcicle.com, $39.95
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Bentgo Salad Lunch Container
There’s nothing worse than packing a salad in the morning, only for it to get soggy by the time lunch comes around. Bentgo has a container that makes eating a healthy salad for lunch foolproof. The super-organized system layers the salad bowl, a tray holding four compartments, a container for dressing, a salad fork, and a lid, so you have everything you need.
Where to Buy: Bentgo Salad Lunch Container, available at amazon.com, $14.99
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YH-Goods Glass Mason Jars Full Mouth – 8 Ounce – (12 Pack)
Mason jars are the OG way of transporting delicious food from here to there. They have gone beyond just being used for jams, jellies, and pickling to serve as perfect, vintage-y containers for parfaits, soups, smoothies, and a lot of other food you want to take with you.
Where to Buy: YH-Goods Glass Mason Jars Full Mouth – 8 Ounce – (12 Pack), available at amazon.com, $22.99
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ECOlunchbox Zero Waste Deluxe Combo Gift Set
Another benefit to meal prepping is that it helps to reduce the waste you would have otherwise created buying lunch out. Take it a step forward by also bringing eco-friendly utensils and straws that are reusable and biodegradable. The ECOlunchbox Zero Waste Deluxe Combo Gift Set takes care of all the tools you’ll need.
Where to Buy: ECOlunchbox Zero Waste Deluxe Combo Gift Set, available at ecolunchboxes.com, $49.99
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Ozeri ZK14-S Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale, 8.25, Black
Even if you’re eating healthy, food portions can be totally out of whack. We really don’t realize how much we are eating until we stop and take a look. A handy digital scale will let you weigh your portions so you can consciously eat smarter and healthier. It allows you to keep within your chosen daily calorie total and physically see what serving sizes really look like.
Where to Buy: Ozeri ZK14-S Pronto Digital Multifunction Kitchen and Food Scale, 8.25, Black, available at amazon.com, $9.75
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Hot Logic Food Warming Tote, Lunch Bag 120V
We are all for gadgets that make our lives easier. Hot Logic has a tote that will warm your food at the office, while on vacation, at home, for potlucks, and any other instance where you need the benefits of a microwave or stove away from the kitchen. It makes it a cinch to heat up your home-cooked meals practically anywhere.
Where to Buy: Hot Logic Food Warming Tote, Lunch Bag 120V, available at amazon.com, $39.95
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bloom daily planners Weekly Meal Planning Pad – Magnetic Menu Planner with Perforated Tear-Off Grocery Shopping Lists – 6” x 9”
Probably the biggest, most important part of meal prep is having a plan. The Meal Planning Pad, by bloom daily planners, allows you to note down what you’ll be eating every day, and set up a shopping list. It will keep you organized, and keep you from forgetting things at the supermarket.
Where to Buy: bloom daily planners Meal Planning Pad, available at amazon.com, $9.95
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RSVP Stainless Steel Straws (Set of 4 + Cleaning Brush)
Plastic straws are part of the environmental problem of too much plastic and waste. A perfect solution is opting for stainless steel, silicone, or bamboo straws. These come in a set of four, along with a handy cleaning brush.
Where to Buy: RSVP Stainless Steel Straws (Set of 4 + Cleaning Brush), available at ecolunchboxes.com, $18.50
wp_*postsPackIt PKO-SN-NAL Freezable Snack Bag, Navy Leaves
Snacks are such a lifesaver, sometimes literally. They keep you satiated, keep your blood sugar on an even keel, and keep your metabolism going. PackIt’s Freezable Snack Bag lets you bring your favorite munchies with you, securely knowing that they are being kept fresh.
Where to Buy: PackIt PKO-SN-NAL Freezable Snack Bag, Navy Leaves, available at amazon.com, $13.99
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Stasher Reusable 4 oz. Silicone Food Storage Bags (Set of 2)
Stop for a moment and think about how many food storage/sandwich bags you have probably used in your life thus far. A lot, right? You can save money, and the environment, by investing in reusable food storage bags. These silicone ones by Stasher are 100% plastic-free and will stash your sandwiches, snacks, cosmetics, and anything else you can think of.
Where to Buy: Stasher Reusable 4 oz. Silicone Food Storage Bags (Set of 2), available at bedbathandbeyond.com, $13.99
wp_*postsBentgo Fresh (Purple) – New & Improved Leak-Proof, Versatile 4-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box
Bento-style boxes are genius. You can store an entire meal or several snacks in one container, having individual sections where you can place totally different foods. Place pasta next to dessert, lettuce next to salad toppings, and so on. This four-compartment lunch box by Bentgo helps you keep your portions controlled and your food organized and comes in fun colors like this Selena purple.
Where to Buy: Bentgo Fresh (Purple) 4-Compartment Bento-Style Lunch Box, available at amazon.com, $29.99
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ban.do What’s for Lunch? Square Lunch Bag – Coming Up Roses
Where you carry your lunch is sometimes as important as what you’re having for lunch. You want your bag, tote, or box to look stylish, inspire joy, and make you happy to bring your well thought out meals with you. The brand ban.do, which specializes in all things adorable, sells this beautiful square lunch bag that is festooned with brightly-hued blooms.
Where to Buy: ban.do What’s for Lunch? Square Lunch Bag – Coming Up Roses, available at bando.com, $25
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ECOlunchbox Three-in-One Classic
Being able to help yourself while also helping the environment is a win-win situation. ECOlunchbox has several items that allow you to do both. Their Three-in-One Classic has room for three different, pre-planned foods, and is made from plastic-free stainless steel.
Where to Buy: ECOlunchbox Three-in-One Classic, available at ecolunchboxes.com, $35.99
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EZ Prepa [20 Pack] 32oz 3 Compartment Meal Prep Containers with Lids
When you’re ready to start your meal prep journey, EZ Prepa has got your back. Just order this bulk set of 20 reusable (one month of lunches), BPA-free food containers that make portion control and meal planning so easy. Added bonus? They’re also microwaveable, dishwasher safe, and stackable.
Where to Buy: EZ Prepa [20 Pack] 32oz 3 Compartment Meal Prep Containers with Lids, available at amazon.com, $19.99
wp_*postsBuringer Insulated Lunch Bag with Inner Pocket Printed Canvas Fabric Reusable Cooler Tote Box for Ladies Woman Man School Work Picnic (Upgraded White Plaid)
For only $10, you can instantly elevate your work and/or school lunches. Just toss them in this insulated cooler lunch bag by Buringer. For the price, you can grab a couple (or more) and rotate them for some fashionable fun with your everyday meals.
Where to Buy: Buringer Insulated Lunch Bag, available at amazon.com, $9.99
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ArderLive Portable Stainless Steel Insulated Lunch Box with Lunch Bag & Portable Utensil, (3Layer, Gray)
If you’re tight on space (like those overloaded break room fridges), toting a stacked lunch box is a great idea. This one by ArderLive has three different food containers and a lid that can be used as a bowl. It’s also available in different colors and patterns to suit your style.
Where to Buy: ArderLive Portable Stainless Steel Insulated Lunch Box, available at amazon.com, $27.99
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Modern Picnic Dark Red Luncher
Go from carrying your lunch in your handbag to carrying a lunch bag that’s chic enough to be a handbag. Modern Picnic solved the problem of ugly lunch bags by making these beautiful, useful Lunchers in a variety of fashionable hues.
Where to Buy:Modern Picnic Dark Red Luncher, available at modernpicnic.com, $149
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ingeniusco Collapsible Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons
Being successful with eating healthier and weight loss has to do with keeping your portions in check. Measuring cups and spoons let you know exactly how much of something you’re going to be eating, and are necessary for exact measurements in cooking and baking. These collapsible spoons and cups let you be precise, anywhere. And they save on storage space.
Where to Buy: ingeniusco Collapsible Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons, available at amazon.com, $9.95
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ECOlunch Box Utensils & Straw Set
ECOlunch Box has a set of biodegradable utensils and a straw that will let you enjoy your office and/or school lunches without having to take your heavy flatware from home, or resort to using bad-for-the-environment plastic-made items. We like that.
Where to Buy: ECOlunch Box Utensils & Straw Set, available at ecolunchboxes.com, $24.99
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Fit & Fresh Q5 Bloomington Lunch Kit – Lemon Breeze
Cheery pops of color and fun prints go a long way in helping to brighten your mood. Just look at this lemon-print lunch kit by Fit & Fresh; the colors just instantly evoke summer, nature, and happy vibes. Not only do you get a pretty lunch bag, but you also get five handy food containers to stock it with.
Where to Buy: Fit & Fresh Q5 Bloomington Lunch Kit – Lemon Breeze, available at target.com, $19.99
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Master Pan Non-Stick Divided Grill/Fry/Oven Meal Skillet, 15″, Black
You have your divided food storage down pat, but what about making your cooking and baking more compartmentalized as well? Master Pans’ genius skillet (available in other versions), lets you keep your foods separate from the get-go, and ready to pop into your meal prep containers once you’re done cooking.
Where to Buy: Master Pan Non-Stick Divided Grill/Fry/Oven Meal Skillet, 15″, Black, available at amazon.com, $31.62
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Rubbermaid 4.7 Cup Brilliance Food Storage Container
One of the things we dread about bringing food to work/school is the thought of liquids leaking, ruining our bags, our clothes, and our mood. Rubbermaid created a food storage container that is described “leak-proof,” relieving that worry, and allowing you to avoid buying that overpriced, probably unhealthy lunch.
Where to Buy: Rubbermaid 4.7 Cup Brilliance Food Storage Container, available at target.com, $7.19
wp_*postsSoYoung Lunch Bag, Black Paper & Gold Splatter
SoYoung heard us when we said we needed more stylish lunch bags. Their version, seen here in a black background with gold splatter, lets you tote your meals in a way that’s more elevated than the classic brown paper bag.
Where to Buy: SoYoung Lunch Bag, available at williams-sonoma.com, $44.95
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ShopoKus Glass Travel Drinking Mason Jar Water Bottle 16 oz. [6 pack]
Whether you want to ensure you get your maximum daily water intake, take your morning smoothies on the go, or just made a bunch of fabulous juice that you want to bring to work/school, these travel water bottles fit the bill nicely. Made by ShopoKus, they’re made of glass and fit 16 ounces of liquid (and you get six of them).
Where to Buy: ShopoKus Glass Travel Drinking Mason Jar Water Bottle 16 oz. [6 pack], available at walmart.com, $19.99
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Vker Stainless Steel Reusable Cutlery Set (Rose Gold-Set of 8)
Okay, maybe you want your travel flatware to be a little more on the luxe side. Vker’s stainless steel cutlery set (which comes in a variety of colors), features two spoons, a fork, chopsticks, a knife, two straws, and a straw cleaner, seen here in the prettiest rose gold hue. Fine dining, to go (and under $15).
Where to Buy: Vker Stainless Steel Reusable Cutlery Set, available at amazon.com, $12.99
